Film for masking aircraft components and method of positioning same

ABSTRACT

The invention solves the problem of protecting aircraft components during finishing. Such components are large and require masking films of vast dimensions which are difficult to handle and position rapidly. The invention relates to films packaged to facilitate transport, and to a method of positioning the packaged films on the corresponding components. The longitudinal and/or transverse portions of the films are packaged by means of at least one opération chosen from among: accordion folding, telescopic folding, gâte folding, roll folding, winding around a mandrel, and winding on itself. The packaged films can have positioning markers on at least one surface and/or tear lines suitable for detaching the portions of film to be separated. The invention also concerns a kit comprising a film and a guide element for guiding the positioning of the film on the component.

REFERENCE AND PRIORITY CLAIM

The present application is a 371 of International Application No.PCT/CA2018/050175, filed on Feb. 16, 2018, which claims priority to U.S.provisional application 62/460,182 filed on Feb. 17, 2017, thedescription of which is incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The technical field of the invention relates to packaged films andmethods for unfolding these films in order to mask aircraft components,parts or sections during painting and finishing operations. The maskingfilms are made to measure for different types of aircraft.

PRIOR ART

In general, in the field of large parts to be protected such as aircraftcomponents (i.e. aircraft parts or sections), masking is carried outconventionally using a mask made from rolls of brown paper or flexibleplastic or soft structure Tyvek®, installed and/or unrolled around thecomponent to be protected and secured using adhesive tape. The adhesivetape is used both to secure the mask to the surface of the aircraftcomponent and to join the portions of the mask together. This method hasdrawbacks with regard to (1) the time and resources required to envelopand/or mask the aircraft components and/or unroll the rolls of maskingmaterial and join the edges together, (2) the risk of damaging theaircraft surfaces when cutting the mask in order to fit the dimension ofthe masking material to the section of the aircraft component to becovered, and (3) the damage that might be caused to the surface of theaircraft on removal of the mask, which might require dismantling bycutting it off using knives or tools with sharp blades.

In light of the above, there is therefore a need for a film for maskingan aircraft component and a method for unfolding this film that iscapable of overcoming or at least minimizing at least one drawback ofthe prior art.

SUMMARY

According to a general aspect, the invention relates to a film formasking an aircraft component, the film having a longitudinal portionand a transverse portion and being configured to cover the aircraftcomponent, the film being packaged by an operation selected from thefollowing operations: accordion folding, telescopic folding, gatefolding, roll folding, winding around a core and winding the film onitself, on the longitudinal portion; or an operation selected from thefollowing operations: accordion folding, telescopic folding, gatefolding, roll folding, winding around a core and winding the film onitself, on the transverse portion.

In one embodiment, the film has an inner face and an outer face, thefilm comprising positioning marks on one face of the film, thepositioning marks being positioned according to geometric features ofthe aircraft component.

In one embodiment, the positioning marks include a tape selected fromthe following: a colored tape, a printed tape, a translucent tape, thetape optionally comprising perforated dots forming a tear line suitablefor forming detachable segments of film.

In one embodiment, the aircraft component is an aircraft nose, the filmbeing packaged by an accordion folding operation on the longitudinalportion of the film and an accordion folding operation on the transverseportion of the film, followed by a gate folding operation on thetransverse portion of the film.

In one embodiment, the aircraft component is an aircraft fuselage, thefilm being packaged by an accordion folding operation on thelongitudinal portion of the film followed by a folding operationselected from accordion folding and roll folding on the transverseportion of the film, followed by a gate folding operation on thetransverse portion of the film.

In one embodiment, the aircraft component is an aircraft wing, the filmbeing configured to form a substantially tubular sleeve and beingpackaged by a telescopic folding operation on the longitudinal portionof the film forming a parallelogram.

In one embodiment, the film is also packaged by an operation selectedfrom accordion folding and roll folding in a direction substantiallyparallel to the base of the parallelogram.

In one embodiment, the base of the parallelogram extends substantiallyperpendicular to the longitudinal portion of the film.

In one embodiment, the sleeve has an open end and a closed endlongitudinally opposite the open end.

In one embodiment, the film is packaged in the direction parallel to thebase of the parallelogram by an operation selected from accordionfolding and roll folding in order to form a first stacked section,followed by an accordion folding operation in the direction parallel tothe base of the parallelogram in order to form a second stacked section,and by a gate folding operation of the stacked sections in the directionparallel to the base of the parallelogram.

In one embodiment, the film is packaged by a single folding operation ofthe closed end of the sleeve in a direction substantially perpendicularto the base of the parallelogram.

In one embodiment, the aircraft component is an aircraft wing, the filmbeing packaged by an operation selected from accordion folding and gatefolding on the transverse portion of the film, followed by an operationof winding around a core on the longitudinal portion of the film.

In one embodiment, the film has an anti-static property.

In one embodiment, the film is permeable to air and solvent vapor.

In one embodiment, the film is impermeable to paint, water and solvents.

In one embodiment, the film has properties enabling coatings to adhereto the film.

According to another general aspect, the invention relates to a methodfor unfolding a film for masking an aircraft component, comprising thefollowing steps: supplying a film having dimensions that match thedimensions of the aircraft component; positioning the film on a upperpart of the aircraft component and orienting it in an initial positionon the upper part relative to geometric features of the aircraftcomponent; after step b), performing one of the following actions:unfolding the film from the initial position on the upper part in atransverse direction of the aircraft component, and unfolding the filmfrom the initial position on the upper part in a longitudinal directionof the aircraft component; if in step c) the film is unfolded from theinitial position on the upper part in the transverse direction of theaircraft component: unfolding the film from the initial position on theupper part in the longitudinal direction of the aircraft component; andif in step c) the film is unfolded from the initial position on theupper part in the longitudinal direction of the aircraft component:unfolding the film from the initial position on the upper part in thetransverse direction of the aircraft component.

In one embodiment, the method in which in step a) the film comprisespositioning marks, the method comprises after step d) or e), a step forpositioning the film on the aircraft component using the positioningmarks according to geometric features of the aircraft component.

In one embodiment, the method for which, in step a), the film is woundaround a core, and, in step b), a section of the film is slipped ontoone end of the upper part, the method also comprises one of thefollowing unfolding steps: unrolling the film from the end of the upperpart in a longitudinal direction of the aircraft component, andunfolding the film on the upper part in a transverse direction of theaircraft component.

In one embodiment, the method comprises, in step a), supplying a guideelement packaged with the film for the subsequent unfolding of the filmon the aircraft component, the method comprising, in step b), aligningthe guide element with the aircraft component.

In one embodiment, the aircraft component is an aircraft wing, themethod comprising, in step a), supplying a film configured to form asleeve and a guide element packaged with the film for the subsequentunfolding of the film on the wing, the method comprising, in step b),aligning the guide element with the aileron of the wing.

In one embodiment, the invention relates to a kit for masking anaircraft component, the kit comprising a film for masking the aircraftcomponent and a guide element packaged juxtaposed with the film for thesubsequent unfolding of the film on the aircraft component.

In one embodiment, the guide element is rigid.

In one embodiment, the kit comprises instructions for the unfolding ofthe film.

In one embodiment, the invention relates to a method for masking anaircraft component using the kit.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1A shows a side view and a top view of an aircraft, thelongitudinal and transverse directions of the aircraft fuselage beingindicated by the arrows L_(f) and T_(f) respectively.

FIG. 1B is a top view of an aircraft, the longitudinal and transversedirections of the aircraft wing being indicated by the arrows L_(w) andT_(w) respectively.

FIG. 1C shows a side view and a top view of an aircraft, thelongitudinal and transverse directions of the aircraft nose beingindicated by the arrows L_(nose) and T_(nose) respectively.

FIG. 1D shows a side view and a top view of an aircraft, thelongitudinal and transverse directions of the aircraft nacelle beingindicated by the arrows L_(na) and T_(na) respectively.

FIG. 1E is a side view of an aircraft vertical stabilizer, thelongitudinal and transverse directions of which are indicated by thearrows L_(vs) and T_(vs) respectively.

FIG. 1F is a top view of an aircraft stabilizer, the longitudinal andtransverse directions of which are indicated by the arrows L_(s) andT_(s) respectively.

FIG. 2A is a side view of an example of film for masking an aircraftcomponent, showing a step of single gate folding and the fold obtained.

FIG. 2B is a side view of an example of film for masking an aircraftcomponent, showing a sequence of steps of double gate folding and thefolds obtained.

FIG. 3A is a top view of a film for masking an aircraft fuselageaccording to one embodiment, showing the positioning of the folds forpackaging the film by a type of accordion folding on the longitudinalportion.

FIG. 3B is a top view of the film shown in FIG. 3A, once folded on thelongitudinal portion, showing the positioning of the accordion folds onthe transverse portion for packaging the film.

FIG. 3C is a side view of the film shown in FIG. 3B showing the type ofaccordion folding.

FIG. 3D is a side view of the exemplary embodiment of the film in FIG.3C showing subsequent single gate folding with insertion of a guideelement.

FIG. 4A is a side view of a film for masking an aircraft componentaccording to one embodiment, showing the type of accordion folding.

FIG. 4B is a side view of the film shown in FIG. 4A, the accordionfolding being followed by double gate folding.

FIG. 5 is a top view of a sleeve-type film for masking an aircraft wingaccording to one embodiment, flattened (i.e. two-dimensional), showingthe positioning of the folds for a type of telescopic folding in whichthe order of folding of the folds is shown by the arrow in the directionD1.

FIGS. 6A to 6E show the sequence of telescopic folding of the film inFIG. 5 .

FIG. 6A is a perspective view of the flattened (i.e. two-dimensional)film.

FIG. 6B is a perspective view showing the position of the folds of thetelescopic folding of the film.

FIG. 6C is a perspective view of the nesting of sections of the film bymeans of the telescopic folds from the end T7 of the film.

FIG. 6D is a perspective view of the film once all of the telescopicfolds have been nested, together with the insertion of a guide element.

FIG. 6E is a top view of the parallelogram formed by the film once ithas been flattened (i.e. two-dimensional), together with the position ofthe guide element.

FIG. 7 is a top view of the film shown in FIG. 6E, showing the folds andsections for single roll folding (sections IL and HL) and multiple rollfolding (sections HR to LR).

FIG. 8A is a side view of the film shown in FIG. 7 having a rolledportion.

FIG. 8B is a side view of the film shown in FIG. 8A, the roll foldingbeing followed by gate folding.

FIGS. 9A and 9B are perspective views of a film for masking an aircraftnose cone according to one embodiment, the film being positioned on thenose and comprising positioning marks.

FIGS. 10A and 10B are perspective views of a film according to oneembodiment, the film comprising positioning marks that includecontrasting perforated tapes forming a tear line.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Definitions

The term “approximately” as used in the present patent applicationrefers to a margin of error of + or −15% of the associated number. Forreasons of accuracy, the word “approximately”, when used in conjunctionwith, for example, 100%, means 100%±15%, i.e. from 85% to 115%.

The term “aircraft” is used to denote airplanes (airliners, lightaircraft, etc.), helicopters or any other type of aircraft requiringfinishing steps.

The expression “aircraft components” is used to denote aircraft parts,portions and sections, such as a nose, a nose cone, a wing, astabilizer, a vertical stabilizer, a nacelle, etc.

The expression “mask” is used to describe the film that envelops, wraps,protects and covers all or part of an aircraft component.

The term “fit” is used to describe the film that is sized, cut andconfigured to cover as a function of the dimensions of the component tobe masked.

The term “packaged” is used to describe an action of folding, rolling,stacking, packing the film so as to enable the transportation andstorage thereof, once packed, and to facilitate the unfolding of thisfilm on the aircraft component with minimum requirement for personnel,steps and tools. This packaging, which is specific to each aircraftcomponent and aircraft type, required in-depth investigation and severalyears of experience in order to optimize the operation and unfolding ofthe packaged film.

The term “telescopic” is used to describe the folding of a generallytubular element that comprises sealed sides. When three sides aresealed, one end of the element is open and one end is closed. Theelement thus forms a tube, a cone, a finger, a sheath, a sleeve, a hat,a cap, or any other substantially tubular element closed at one end andopen at the longitudinally opposite end. One or more transverse sectionsof the tubular element are then folded so that each subsequent sectionis inserted into another section or vice versa, such as a person skilledin the art might envisage for an antenna or a telescope (see FIGS. 6B to6D).

Detailed Description

With reference to the figures, a film for masking an aircraft componentand a method for unfolding this film on an aircraft component will bedescribed. A kit comprising a film and a guide element, together with anunfolding method comprising the use of the kit, are described. The film,the kit, and the unfolding method are adjusted to the dimensions andgeometric features of the aircraft or aircraft portions to be masked.

More particularly, with reference to FIGS. 1A to 1F, each aircraftcomponent has dimensions that can be measured in longitudinal andtransverse directions. Arrows L and T indicate the longitudinal andtransverse directions for each component. More specifically, in FIG. 1A,the arrows L_(f) and T_(f) respectively denote the longitudinal andtransverse directions of an aircraft fuselage. In FIG. 1B, the arrowsL_(w) and T_(w) respectively denote the longitudinal and transversedirections of an aircraft wing. In FIG. 1C, the arrows L_(nose) andT_(nose) respectively denote the longitudinal and transverse directionsof an aircraft nose cone. In FIG. 1D, the arrows L_(na) and T_(na)respectively denote the longitudinal and transverse directions of anacelle. In FIG. 1E, the arrows L_(vs) and T_(vs) respectively denotethe longitudinal and transverse directions of an aircraft verticalstabilizer. In FIG. 1F, the arrows L_(s) and T_(s) respectively denotethe longitudinal and transverse directions of an aircraft stabilizer.The unpackaged, i.e. not folded, film comprises a longitudinal portionhaving a dimension that corresponds to, i.e. matches, the dimension ofthe aircraft component in the longitudinal direction, and a transverseportion having a dimension that corresponds to the dimension of theaircraft component in the transverse direction. It will be appreciatedthat the dimensions of the film can be substantially equal to thedimensions of the component, or that they can be substantially greaterthan the dimensions of the component. It will also be appreciated thatthe film can cover the component partially or fully and that one or morefilms can be used to cover an aircraft component. It will also beappreciated that one film can cover several aircraft components. Thefilm designed is a substantially two-dimensional object when it isflattened, and is configured to cover the component, which is athree-dimensional object.

In the field of finishing aircraft components and the masking requiredfor this finishing, the difficulty lies in the unfolding and securing,by a single person or a small team, of the film in order to cover andprotect the components, which are generally on a large scale (i.e. morethan approximately 4 meters long), or on a very large scale (i.e. morethan 20 meters long). The different embodiments of the film andunfolding method described below thus provide a solution to this problemby supplying a masking film packaged so that it can be packed,transported, installed, and unfolded easily and intuitively on theaircraft components by very few personnel. In addition, the films arepackaged to avoid having to use sharp instruments to install them orremove them, thus reducing the risk of breakage or scratches spoilingthe finish of the components.

The contribution of the invention lies in particular in the packaging ofa film the shapes and dimensions of which match those of an aircraftcomponent, designed to be unfolded in three dimensions to cover aircraftcomponents. The packaging consists of performing several foldingoperations, details of which are given below. In short, the film isshaped, i.e. cut out from a masking material, and then packaged. Thepackaging can also include the packing of the packaged film in a bag orbox for storage and/or transportation.

The film is made from a masking material having in particular mechanicaland chemical properties enabling the masking of aircraft components andthe finishing of these components. It will thus be appreciated that, inone embodiment, the film is permeable to air and solvent vapors. In oneembodiment, the film is also impermeable to paint, water and solvents.In addition, it will be appreciated that the film can compriseproperties enabling coatings to adhere to the film without flaking, itbeing possible for the coatings to be paint or lacquer. In oneembodiment, the film has anti-static properties.

With reference to FIG. 2A, a type of single gate folding is shown. Thefilm 20 comprises a section S1 and a section S2. The section S1 isfolded onto the section S2 in a folding operation 2A1. This type of foldcan also be denoted by the expression “single fold”. With reference toFIG. 2B, a type of double gate folding is shown. The film 30 comprises asection C1, a section C2 and a section C3. Section C1 is folded ontosection C2 in a folding step 2B1, then section C3 is folded onto sectionC1 in a folding step 2B2.

With reference to FIGS. 3A to 4B, an embodiment of a film for masking anaircraft fuselage is shown. In the embodiment shown, the film isrectangular. It will be appreciated that the fuselage will havedifferent dimensions depending on the type of aircraft, and thereforethe film can be of rectangular or another shape. It will also beappreciated that a film having a single layer can be used, and that afilm having several layers can also be used to mask an aircraftcomponent such as a fuselage. In the embodiment shown and as describedbelow, the folds define sections of film folded onto each otherdepending on the type of folding. The shape and size of the sections aretherefore determined by the position of the folds. The type of packagingof the film in the embodiment shown in FIG. 3A is accordion folding, tofacilitate the unfolding of the film on the fuselage, it being possiblefor one or two people to unfold the film. The packaging of theembodiment of this film takes place in three steps. First, thelongitudinal portion of this film 40 is accordion folded along the foldsF1 to F5 so as to form therefrom a smaller stacked film (see FIG. 3B)compared to the initial longitudinal dimension of the film. Then, thetransverse portion of the film 40 is packaged as described below.

FIG. 3B shows the film in FIG. 3A once it has been foldedlongitudinally. For the transverse folding operation, the sections andfolds of the left-hand portion of the film 40 are denoted by an “L”,while the sections and folds of the right-hand portion of the film aredenoted by an “R”. The order of the folds is denoted by a digit: 1L, 2L,3L, and so on. The left-hand sections are identified by DL, CL, BL, andAL and the right-hand sections are identified by DR, CR, BR, and AR,while the folds are denoted by 1L, 2L, 3L, and 4L for the left-handsection of the top view, and by 1R, 2R, 3R, and 4R for the right-handsection of the top view. It will be appreciated that the number offolding sections, and therefore folds, can vary.

With reference to FIGS. 3B and 3C, a first step for accordion foldingconsists, for the right-hand section of the film 40, of folding sectionBR onto section AR in direction L using fold 1R, folding section CR ontosections BR and AR that have already been stacked using fold 2R indirection L, and folding section DR using fold 3R in direction L, ontothe stacked sections CR, BR, and AR. For the left-hand section of thefilm 40, the accordion folding sequence consists of folding section BLonto section AL in direction R using fold 1L, and folding section CL indirection R using fold 2L onto sections BL and AL, and finally foldingsection DL in direction R using fold 3L onto the stacked sections CL,BL, and AL. The folds in directions L and R can be made simultaneouslyby two people, which reduces the packaging time of the film 40. Theresult of the folding operations of sections DL, CL, BL, and AL andsections DR, CR, BR, and AR as shown in the top view in FIG. 3B is shownin FIG. 3C, as a left sub-fold LSF and a right sub-fold RSF. For theembodiment of the film 40 partially packaged as shown in FIG. 3C, thetwo sub-fold sections LSF and RSF lie side by side, ready for the lastsingle folding operation to form a packaged film (FIG. 3D) ready forpacking, unpacking and unfolding on the aircraft component. The lastsingle fold consists of folding the right sub-fold RSF onto the leftsub-fold LSF along the folds 0R and 0L (FIG. 3B) in order to obtain thepackaged film 40 shown in FIG. 3D. It will be appreciated that the lastsingle fold can also be made by folding the left sub-fold LSF onto theright sub-fold RSF along the folds 0R and 0L. In the embodiment shown,the film 40 comprises positioning marks N1 to guide the position of thefilm 40 in accordance with the geometry of the fuselage, the marks N1indicating the orientation of the nose of the aircraft (FIGS. 3A and3B). In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3D, the insertion of a rigid guideelement 42 when the last fold is made, between the sub-folds LSF andRSF, makes it possible to guide the positioning of the film 40 when itis unfolded on the aircraft component.

As a result, the film packaged according to the packaging stepsdescribed above is unfolded easily and intuitively, often by a singleperson. The completely packaged film (FIG. 3D) is placed on an upperpart of the fuselage and unpacked (i.e. removed from its transportationpacking). The sub-fold on top (LSF or RSF) of the other sub-fold isopened out, resulting in the configuration of the film shown in FIG. 3C.The two sections LSF and RSF are then extended so that their respectiveends (sections DL and DR) fall by gravity, and hang down on each side ofthe fuselage according to the configuration in FIG. 3B, in which all ofthe transverse sections (AL to DL and AR to DR) of the film areunfolded. The film 40 therefore extends in the transverse directionT_(f) of the fuselage (FIG. 1A).

The front portion, i.e. the “nose” denoted by the arrow and the letterN1 in FIGS. 3A and 3B, of the partially unfolded film according to FIG.3B is then partially secured to the fuselage by means of adhesive tape,or any other temporary securing means, and the rear portion of the filmis then extended by a person facing the rear of the aircraft in thelongitudinal direction L_(f) of the fuselage (FIG. 1A). The film isunfolded in order to return to its initial appearance shown in FIG. 3A.The film completely unfolded in this way is wrapped around the fuselageand secured thereto for the finishing operations.

With reference to FIGS. 4A and 4B, in the case of films for maskinglarge aircraft components, there are often multiple folds in order toreduce the volume of the packet, i.e. the packaged and packed film, inorder to facilitate the transportation thereof. According to theembodiment shown, the packaging of the film 40 by accordion and gatefolding first requires three sections of film: a left-hand sectioncomprising sections AL and BL, a central section CT, and a right-handsection comprising sections AR to DR. First of all, the accordionfolding is carried out by folding section BL onto section AL, indirection R (single fold). Sections DR, CR, BR and AR are accordionfolded, i.e. section BR is folded onto section AR, section CR is foldedonto section BR and section DR is folded onto section CR. It will beappreciated that the number of folds and the number of sections of filmvaries depending on the size of the component.

With reference to FIG. 4B, the double gate folding is carried out nextby folding the right-hand section (comprising sections AR to DR) indirection L (FIG. 4A) along fold L1 onto the central section CT, andfolding the left-hand section (comprising sections AL and BL) indirection R (FIG. 4A) along fold L2 onto the right-hand section asshown, or vice versa, by folding the left-hand section in direction Ronto the central section CT, and folding the right-hand section indirection L onto the left-hand section. This embodiment relates topackaging the film 40 for masking an aircraft fuselage, but it will beappreciated that a film for masking other aircraft components such as ahorizontal stabilizer, vertical stabilizer, or wing, can be packagedaccording to these types of folding and the folding sequence describedabove.

With reference to FIGS. 5 to 8B, an embodiment of a film for masking anaircraft wing is shown. In the embodiment shown, the film has asubstantially similar initial shape to the shape of the aircraft wing tobe masked. It will be appreciated that the wings will have differentdimensions and a different shape depending on the type of aircraft, andthe film will therefore have a different initial shape from the shape ofthe film shown in FIG. 5 . The film 50 shown in FIG. 5 has asubstantially conical shape to envelop a portion of the aircraft wingand its aileron (i.e. at the outer end of the wing). FIG. 5 is a topview of the conical film, flattened, i.e. two-dimensional, thuscomprising two layers of film, i.e. a layer of film used to cover thetop of the wing, and a layer of film used to cover the bottom of thewing. The film comprises three sealed ends, thus forming a conical tube,thus covering, when unfolded on the wing, the side of the wing runningalong the leading edge, the side of the wing running along the aileron,and the side running along the wing tip. It will be appreciated that inan alternative embodiment, the film comprises one sealed end, forexample the end running along the leading edge of the wing. In anotheralternative embodiment, the film comprises two sealed ends thus forminga tube open at the longitudinally opposite ends, i.e. open endscorresponding to the wing root and the wing tip. In the embodiment shownin FIGS. 6A to 6E, the film is packaged by telescopic folding. The foldsare denoted in FIG. 5 by F1, F2, F3, F4, F5, and F6, and make itpossible to package the film along the longitudinal portion thereof. Thesections are identified as T1, T2, T3, T4, T5, T6, and T7.

The sequence of telescopic folding steps on the basis of the film 50 inFIG. 5 is shown in FIGS. 6A to 6E. The first step consists of foldingsection T7 (FIG. 5 ), which corresponds to the aileron, partially insidesection T6 in direction D1 using fold F6. Then, sections T6 and T7 arefolded into section T5 (fold F5), sections T5, T6, and T7 into sectionT4 (fold F4), and so on until all of the sections T1, T2, T3, T4, T5,T6, and T7 (partially) overlap (FIG. 6E) and form a stack of sectionsforming a parallelogram, section T7, i.e. the end of the sleeve,extending slightly outside the perimeter of the parallelogram. Asmentioned above, the longitudinal portion of the film is packaged bytelescopic folding. In the embodiment shown, the parallelogram, i.e. thestack of sections, comprises a base that extends substantiallyperpendicular to the initial longitudinal dimension of the film as shownin its flattened position in FIG. 5 .

In an alternative embodiment (not shown) to the one shown in FIGS. 6A to6C, the telescopic folding is carried out in an opposite foldingdirection to direction D1, and thus section T1 is folded onto section T2using fold F1, sections T1 and T2 are then folded onto section T3 usingfold F2, and so on.

With reference to FIG. 7 , the film in FIGS. 5 to 6E is shown partiallypackaged, before the last folding steps prior to packing. Section T7(FIG. 5 ) of the film 50 corresponding to the outer tip portion of thewing (i.e. comprising the aileron) is denoted by 101 in FIG. 7 , whilethe right-hand sections of the film contain an “R” and the left-handsections contain an “L”. The left-hand sections are identified by IL andHL, and the right-hand sections are identified by HR, IR, JR, KR, andLR. The central section CE is placed between the left-hand andright-hand sections. The left-hand and right-hand sections are thusaccordion folded using the folds of the left-hand section 5L and 5H, andthe folds of the right-hand section 5R to 9R, and it will be appreciatedthat the number of folding sections, and therefore the number of folds,varies according to different embodiments.

With reference to FIGS. 8A and 8B, an alternative embodiment is shown ofthe film 50 intended for masking an aircraft wing packaged as shown inFIG. 7 and the right-hand and left-hand sections then packaged bymultiple roll folding, i.e. IL onto HL in direction R and LR onto KR,then onto JR, then onto IR, and finally onto HR in direction L (FIG.8A). The left-hand and right-hand sections are then folded onto thecentral section CE by single roll folding along fold H1 to form astacked film (FIG. 8B). As a last step for the packaging of this film,the end section of the sleeve of the film is folded onto the stack inFIG. 8B in order to form a packaged film ready to be bagged for sendingto the aircraft finishing center, for example.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 6D and 6E, a guide element 70 isinserted inside the film 50 to the end of the film corresponding to thesleeve 101 in FIG. 7 , this guide element 70 substantially correspondingto the dimensions of the aileron and substantially fitting the shape ofsection T7 of the film 50. As described below, the guide element is usedto position the film on the aircraft component to be masked and guidethe person unfolding the film on the component in the unfolding steps.

When the film is unfolded on an aircraft component, the reverse steps ofthe packaging steps are carried out once the film has been removed fromits bag and the stacked film has been placed on the component. Thestacked film is positioned in the appropriate place, i.e. in the case ofthe aircraft nose cone on the upper part of the nose, on the componentto be masked using the positioning marks N100, examples of which areshown in FIGS. 9A and 9B. In FIGS. 9A and 9B, the marks comprise theword “nose” and an arrow indicating the orientation of the aircraftnose. The marks enable the positioning of the film relative to geometricfeatures of the aircraft component. It will be appreciated that themarks can comprise one or more arrows, the name of a part of theaircraft component such as “nose”, or an orientation, “left, “right”,“top”, etc. It will also be appreciated that a kit comprising a film anda guide element can be used, the guide element guiding the first stepsof the sequence for unfolding the film on the component.

For a film for masking a wing as shown in FIG. 5 , the unfolding is thuscarried out by first of all placing the film 50 at the wing tip. The endof the sleeve 101 folded on top of the stack is unfolded first and slidonto the outer tip of the aileron, without the rest of the stacknecessarily being unfolded. The gate or roll folds of the stack are thenunfolded on each side of the wing, i.e. under the effect of gravity, thetwo sub-fold sections can hang down on each side of the wing. The filmis therefore unfolded in the transverse direction T_(w) (FIG. 1B) of thewing.

Following the positioning of the film 50 on the wing tip, the film isunfolded by pulling on it in the longitudinal direction L_(w) (FIG. 1B)of the wing toward the fuselage, opening out the telescopic folds. Thefilm is therefore unfolded both above and below the wing like a gloveenveloping a hand. The first element enveloped by the film is the end ofthe wing comprising the aileron. It will be appreciated that this typeof film and unfolding method can also apply to aircraft components otherthan a wing, for example the stabilizers or the vertical stabilizer.

As mentioned above, a guide element 70 is inserted into the sleeve 101during the packaging of the film in order to assist in the positioningof the film on the wing. On unfolding, the guide element 70 makes itpossible to locate in the stack the fold by which the packaged filmshould be slipped onto the tip of the aileron for subsequent unfoldingon the wing. This guide element can also indicate the first opening stepto be carried out during unfolding. For example, for a step of unfoldingtwo sections of the film, the guide element will be slipped into acentral portion, e.g. portion CE in FIG. 7 , of a film that is to beunfolded on each side of an aircraft component. The guide element ispreferably rigid and of a contrasting color to the film. It will beappreciated that the guide element can be made from cardboard. It willalso be appreciated that the guide element can be flexible.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 6D and 6E, a kit 60 comprising a film50 for masking an aircraft component and a guide element 70 packagedwith the film 50 for the subsequent unfolding of the film 50 on thecomponent is supplied.

Another embodiment of a film for masking an aircraft component consistsof packaging it by winding around a core. This type of packagingconsists of winding the film around a circular core by its transverse orlongitudinal part. Alternatively, another embodiment of a film ispackaging by winding the film on itself, without a core. A personskilled in the art will understand that the type of folding and/orwinding can be selected depending on the shapes and dimensions (length,width, one layer, or tubular (two layers)) of the film pattern inquestion.

As described above, the packaging of the masking films is carried out ina combination of several types of folding or winding depending on thepattern of the film in accordance with the shapes and dimensions of theaircraft component to be enveloped. A person skilled in the art willunderstand that these are mainly large scale parts and that the problemis therefore not only the packaging of the film for the secure, optimumpacking and transportation thereof, but also the methodical unfolding ofthe film on the aircraft as such, in order to optimize the time taken tomask the component and remove the film from the component withoutcausing damage (e.g. scratches) to the aircraft component.

In one embodiment for enveloping and protecting a large scale aircraftwing, the film is packaged by an accordion and/or gate and/or rollfolding operation on its transverse portion. The film is then woundaround a core on its longitudinal portion. It will be appreciated that,in an alternative embodiment, the film is packaged by winding thelongitudinal portion on itself, without a core. It will also beappreciated that these packaging modes can be adapted to mask a smallscale aircraft component.

In one embodiment for enveloping and protecting a large scale aircraftwing, the film is packaged by a telescopic folding operation on alongitudinal portion of the film. The film is then packaged by a rollfolding and/or accordion folding and/or gate folding operation on itstransverse portion.

In one embodiment for packing and protecting a horizontal stabilizer ora vertical stabilizer of an aircraft, the film is packaged by atelescopic folding operation on its longitudinal portion. The film isthen packaged by a roll or accordion folding operation or wound onitself or wound around a core on its transverse portion.

In another embodiment of the film for masking an aircraft component, thepositioning marks include one or more tapes on one or both faces of thefilm. As shown in FIGS. 10A and 10B, these tapes P100 can compriseperforated dots P102 forming a tear line. The person who unfolds out thefilm on the aircraft component can thus tear the film along the tearlines to form detachable segments of film, thus making it possible tocover and/or go around certain elements of an aircraft as describedbelow. Certain segments can also be completely detached from the filmfor scrapping on unfolding near certain aircraft components. It will beappreciated that the tapes can be colored, opaque, translucent, orprinted.

As shown in FIG. 10A, the film will be torn to separate a part of thefilm on unfolding in order to go around or let through aircraftcomponents such as antennas, stabilizer bases, tripod supports or otherequipment. The tear lines also make it possible to make an opening ofpredetermined dimensions and position, e.g. for a door, in the filmwithout using a cutting tool, according to the aircraft components andthe geometric features thereof. As shown in FIG. 10B, the film portionsare pulled in opposite directions on either side of the sides of theperforated tapes in order to cause controlled tearing of the film. Thetorn rectangular portion, located inside the tapes, will thus beremoved, pushed or raised in order to gain access to a door of theaircraft when the film is unfolded on the aircraft component.

As described above and as is obvious to a person skilled in the art, itwill be appreciated that the films can be packaged in several foldingsteps or in a single folding step. The combinations of steps cancomprise telescopic folding, accordion folding and gate folding. Anothercombination can comprise telescopic folding, roll folding and gatefolding. Another combination can comprise gate folding and windingaround a core. Another combination can comprise accordion folding in afirst direction, accordion folding in a second direction and gatefolding. Another combination can comprise accordion folding and windingaround a core.

In addition, although the embodiments of the film and kit consist incertain geometric configurations, as explained and described above, onlya portion of these components and geometries is essential and thus themajority thereof must not be interpreted restrictively. As is obvious toa person skilled in the art, other components and engagement betweenthem, as well as other geometric configurations, can be used for thefilm and the kit, as briefly explained above and as can be inferred by aperson skilled in the art. In addition, it will be appreciated that thepositions of the description, such as “above”, “below”, “left-hand” and“right-hand”, and other similar positions, must be interpreted in thecontext of the figures, unless otherwise specified, and must not beconsidered to be limitative.

Several alternative embodiments and examples have been described andshown above. The embodiments of the invention described above are onlyexamples. A person skilled in the art will appreciate the features ofthe individual embodiments, together with the possible combinations andvariants of the components. A person skilled in the art will alsoappreciate that any of the embodiments can be produced in anycombination with the other embodiments described above. It will beappreciated that the invention can be produced in other specific formswithout departing from the spirit or main features thereof. The examplesand embodiments described must be considered in all aspects to beillustrative and non-restrictive, and the invention is not limited tothe details given. Thus, although specific embodiments have been shownand described, numerous modifications are obvious without departing fromthe spirit of the invention. The scope of the invention is thus solelylimited by the scope of the claims.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A packaged film for masking an aircraftfuselage, the packaged film being configured to cover said aircraftfuselage when unpackaged, wherein the packaged film is formed by:performing a longitudinal accordion folding operation on a longitudinalportion of a film to provide a longitudinally stacked film; performingat least a first transverse accordion folding operation on a firstportion of the longitudinally stacked film to provide an intermediatefolded film having at least a first sub-fold; and performing a gatefolding operation on the intermediate folded film to provide thepackaged film; the packaged film being configured to be unfolded in areverse order of the longitudinal accordion folding operation, the atleast a first transverse accordion folding operation and the gatefolding operation to cover said aircraft fuselage, wherein the packagedfilm has an inner face and an outer face, the packaged film comprisingpositioning marks on at least one face of the packaged film, saidpositioning marks being positioned on said at least one face accordingto geometric features of said aircraft fuselage to guide a positioningof the packaged film when unpackaged.
 2. The packaged film as claimed inclaim 1, said positioning marks positioned on said at least one faceaccording to geometric features of said component indicating anorientation of the aircraft fuselage.
 3. The packaged film as claimed inclaim 1, said positioning marks including a tape selected from thefollowing: a colored tape, a printed tape, a translucent tape, whereinthe tape comprises perforated dots forming a tear line suitable forforming detachable segments of film.
 4. The packaged film as claimed inclaim 1, the packaged film having an anti-static property.
 5. Thepackaged film as claimed in claim 1, the packaged film being permeableto air and solvent vapors.
 6. The packaged film as claimed in claim 1,the packaged film being impermeable to paint, water and solvents.
 7. Thepackaged film as claimed in claim 1, the packaged film having propertiesenabling coatings to adhere to the packaged film.
 8. The packaged filmas claimed in claim 1, the packaged film being transparent.
 9. Thepackaged film as claimed in claim 1, wherein the packaged film is formedby performing a second transverse accordion folding operation on asecond portion of the longitudinally stacked film to form a secondsub-fold of the intermediate folded film, wherein the gate foldingoperation comprises folding the first and second sub-folds onto eachother.